We specialize in community based trekking, including Northern Ethiopia historical routes at Lake Tana, Blue Nile Fall, Gondar, Semien mountains, Axum, Geralta, Lalibela and Dallol Depression.
Community-based Trekking
Community based trekking with local residents (often rural, rich in culture but economically marginalized) who invite tourists to visit their communities with the provision of 2-11 night accommodation. The residents earn income as land managers, entrepreneurs, service and produce providers, and employees. Trekkers love what they see and enjoy helping the community.
Sustainable Local Economic Development
Sustainable economic growth is economic development that attempts to satisfy the needs of humans but in a manner that sustains natural resources and the environment for future generations. We work on sustainable local economic development, through organizing the community based trekking without affecting the local culture, environment or religion.
Expanding Impact
We began our project in Lalibela, developing a network of community guides there. As our network has grown, we became able to offer local guiding services in much of Northern Ethiopia, to sites of cultural, religious, geologic, anthropologic and other interests, expanding benefits to adventurous travelers as well as local communities.
Where we go
Based in Lalibela, we can guide you throughout Northern Ethiopia.
In the basalt mountains around Lalibela, communities farm in the age old way with ox-drawn ploughs, and had tools. Life for the farmers is hard, but they have a ready smile and love to receive guests. Girma trekking offers three different walking holidays in these highlands.
Lalibela is one of Ethiopia’s most sacred sites, with a network of 11 churches hewn into the bed rock. It was constructed in the late 12th century by the Saint-king Lalibela. Previously it was known as Roha.
A trek to the Tesfa communities sites can be combined with a visit to Lalibela (and Gondar). Guests can be picked up from Lalibela airport and whisked off to the trek sites or they can be picked from Lalibela town itself. Community sites in Wollo Lalibela, are Mequat Mariam, Wajela Aterow, Yadikulay, Boya Ayinamba, Kirtan Washa, Genetemariam, Tados Amba, Agewbert/Abuneyosef/ Add medihanialem. Community sites in Tigray are:- Erar, Shibreity, Gohgot, Seheta, Enaf, Chehat and Meynebity.
Community Treks
Throughout Ethiopia
Rock Churches
Lalibela
Cultural History
Gondar, Axum
Geologic Wonders
East Ethiopia
Nature Treks
Throughout Ethiopia
Private Tours
Wherever you like
About Girma Trekking Lalibela
Girma is working as a guide, booking manager, lawyer and vice manager in Tesfa Community Tourism. From this experience Girma understand that the world is finally beginning to realize that the rich heritage and unique natural landscape of Ethiopia make for a fantastic holiday. With a young tourism industry, though, Community based tourism visitors need a knowledgeable company to organize their trip enter, Tesfa Treks. Founded by a well experience guide in community based tourism from the well-known Ethiopian destination, Lalibela. Because of long experience in tourism, Girma has a good network of local guides and destination accommodation crew, will ensure you have fully authentic and ethical experience, whether it's historical, cultural or an active adventure.
2004
Our Humble Beginnings
A local NGO, TESFA, begins to promote community-based tourism.
March 2011
A New Trekking Service is Born
Girma Trekking began in 2011 with a private contact to take on the mantle of promoting community tourism that had been developed in Ethiopia in 2004, under the local NGO TESFA.
I believe community tourism means holidays that support local communities, and that are sustainable, but I also believe that holidays must give our guests a wonderful time.
December 2012
Expansion within Ethiopia
I work closely with the communities, the guides and other stakeholders to ensure the success of this special ‘project’, which now involves over 30 communities serving food and hosting guests in both the Amahara Wollo, (Lalibela) Gondar/Semin, Guasa Shewa and Tigray areas. Our holidays all include a key element of this community tourism.
January 2020
Website Launch
We are open for business!
Be Part
Of Our
Story!
The Girma Trekking Lalibela Team
After 16 years of taking tourists out on tours and community base trekking, it's fair to say that the Girma Trekking team knows how to satisfied/wow visitors. Whether you want to get a fancy baboon and red fox in the Simien Mountain and in Abune Yousef Mountain, with the local communities the team of expert guides will lead you on unforgettable expedition while filling you in the countries fascinating culture.
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Date: January 2017
Client: Threads
Category: Illustration
Rock Churches
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Date: January 2017
Client: Explore
Category: Graphic Design
Cultural History
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Axum and surrounding areas: With more than three thousand years of history, stretching from queen of Sheba to the present day, Axum is enchanting. It is the home of the Ark of Covenant and the cradle of Ethiopian civilization. Legends say the Arc was kept in Axum until the 9th century A.D. The Ark was then secretly removed to avoid destruction during Queen Gudit’s religious purge. It was taken some 700 kilometers south to Tulu Guddo, an island in Lake Ziway, and kept there for 72 years and later returned to Axum, where it is found today, in Mariyam Tsion church.
The million dollar question is what happened to the Arc of the Covenant? The story begins with queen of Sheba (Saba) who reigned in Axum in the 10th century BC. Inspired by the tales she heard from her merchant, the queen paid an official visit to Jerusalem to meet this wise man known as King Solomon. She returned home enlightened and pregnant with a child that would grow up to the Emperor Menelik I, the first in the Solomonic Dynasty, a Dynasty which would last until Emperor Haile Selassie I was overthrown nearly 3,000 years later. The 22-year –old Menelik I traveled to meet his father, who asked him to remain in Jerusalem to succeed him as king. When Menelik I declined, Solomon insisted him to be accompanied home by the first-born sons of important elders in the kingdom. Apparently, upset with their fate, some of the sons took the Arc of the Covenant from the temple and replaced it with a replica. Axum is also known for its amazing attraction sites spread over the wider area of the town. These include; Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion compound where the Arc of the Covenant is housed in a small chapel and the great museum attached to the compound with the collection of past Ethiopian history, Archeological museum (with fine ancient Sabean and early geez inscriptions, house hold objects, gold, silver and bronze coins and multilingual tablets dating from the time of Christ), Tombs of several kings spread in different areas with a variety of architectures, the ruined palace and bath of queen of Sheba, as well as the spectacular monasteries which can be covered by half a day excursions.
By the first century Axum was a major trading center; trading with Egypt, Rome, Greece, Syria and India. One of the major tour sites of Axum is its Stelae. By the first century Axum was a major trading center; trading with Egypt, Rome, Greece, Syria and India. One of the major tour sites of Axum is its Stelae. The Stelae Park comprises of seven mysterious monolithic stelae from which Axum is identified. These dates between the 1st and the 3rd century AD and received recognition by the UNESCO in 1980.
Date: January 2017
Client: Finish
Category: Identity
Geologic Wonders
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Date: January 2017
Client: Lines
Category: Branding
Nature Treks
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Date: January 2017
Client: Southwest
Category: Website Design
Private Tours
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